Vacuum pressure frame



Jan. s, 1932. A. T. KOPPE I 1,339,230

VACUUM PRESSURE FRAME E/@T ,071: Jllxcm/cw TCOJD- cz Jan. 5, 1932. A. T.KOPPE VACUUM PRESSURE FRAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1928 A. T.KOPPE:

VACUUM PRESSURE FRAME Jan. 5, 1932.

Filed June 6, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 47g mi /30 13 lill/M7207axafwefT/COpy@ Jan. 5, 1932. A. T. KOPPE 1,839,230

VACUUM PRES SURE FRAME Filed June 6, 1928 4Sheets-Sheet 4 53` li: m J7 fV/ 17g x i 62 35 349g/ 40 4Z* 53a 50C JQ JQ@ 50,-2?

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Patented Jan. 5, 1932A UNITED lSTATES ALEXANDER PATENT OFFICE TION, FCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION' OF ILLINOIS vAcUUMrnEssURE FRAMEApplication led June 6,

This invention relates to improvements in -vacuum pressure frames andits purposevis to provide an improved device adapted for use inobtaining close contact between a sensitized plate and a negative topermit the image f of the negative to be transferred photographi- Acally to the sensitized surface. The present invention relates primarilyto that class of devices in which this close contact is obtained byvacuum pressure, that is, by exhausting the air from the region betweenand adjacent to the negative and the sensitized plate so that theoutside atmospheric air pressure forces the negative and plate intoclose contact with each other. It is the principal object of theinvention to provide an improved pressure frame adapted for use withthis vacuum pressure system, particularly where it is desired toreproduce a single ima e upon the surface of the sensitized plate.

j the invention is to provide a vacuum pressure frame comprisingrelatively movable frame sections in combination with improved means foreffecting and controlling the relative movement of these sections. Afurther object is to provide avacuum pressure frame comprising means forraising and lowering one section thereof and for tilting both sectionsto permit the action on the negative of a source of light. Still anotherobject is to provide means for counterbalancing the movement ofonesection of the vacuum frame and means-for causing both ends of themovable section to travel in'unison. Otherr objects relate to variousfeatures of construction and arrangement which will appear more fullyhereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood. from the followingspecification taken with the accompanying drawings in which oneembodiment is illustrated. In the drawlngs,

Figure- 1 shows a front elevation 'of the improved vacuum pressure framewith a portion of one section of the frame broken away; Fig. 2 is avertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1

` Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,showing the con- 50 struction at the edge of the vacuum frame;

1928. Serial No. 283,349.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the vacuum frameshowing the means for guiding the two sections into predeterminedrelation with each other and holding them in that position;

Fig. 5 shows a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig.1, showing the sections of the frame tilted to horizontal positions andseparated by a vertical movement of the upper section; f a

Fig. 6 is a` detail section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 illustratingthe brace for holding the lower frame section in horizontal position;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 ofFig. 5 showing the means for supporting the lower frame section and foreffecting movement of the upper kframe section; and further object of nFig. 8 is a horizontal detail section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

As illustrated in the drawings, the vacuum pressure frame is carried bya supporting structure comprising a base 10 made up of a pair ofparallel side members 11 connected by a. transverse member 12 and havingcasters 13 mounted on the ends ofthe side members to 'permit theapparatus to be moved readily onV the floor. The base 10, carries a pairof upwardly extending standards or frame members 14 which are adapted tosupport and guide the vacuum pressure frame indicated generally at 15.This frame 15 comprises two principal frame sections 16V and 17 of whichthe lower frame section 16 has a tilting movement about a horizontalpivotal` axis while the upper section 17 is adapted to partake of thetilting movement of the lower section and also to be separated by upwardmovement therefrom as shown in Fig. 5.

The lower frame section 16 comprises a rectangular frame structure, theframe members. `16a of which `'are connected at their corners forming anintervening rectangular opening which is partially closed by a pluralityof spaced slats 16b which extend between the side frame members ofthisframe section, as shown in Fig. 5, and are partially supported bythe intervening cross frame members 16. These slats and the surroundingportions of the frame members 16a' serve ,as supports for a rectangualrmat or blanket 18 formed preferably of rubber or the like line andprovided with an outwardly projecting flange or shoulder 19a, shownparticularly in Fig. 7, which is adapted to be bent downwardly when thelower section of the vacuum frame is engaged by the upper sectionthereof. When the frame section 16 is in the horizontal position shownin Fig. 5, it is adapted to receive the sensitized'plate 20 which may bea zinc plate having a sensitized surface, such as is employed in thelithographic trade for offset printing purposes. The negative 21carrying the design or image which is to be transferred photographicallyto the sensitized surface of the plate 2O is placed on the plate 20 withthe image thereof directed downwardly, as shown in Fig. 7. and the twosections of the frame are then brought together, as hereinafterdescribed, preliminary to exhausting the air from the region within theannular flange 19. 'This exhaustion of the air is effected through asuction tube `22 connected at one end through a pipe 23 to the spaceabove the mat 18 with- `in the flange `19 and having its other end con-`nected to a vacuum pump 24 which is driven by an electric motor 25. Theframe section 16 is provided on opposite sides with bearing vbrackets26` which are secured thereto by screws 27 and which carry trunnions 28adapted to rotate in the U-shaped bearings formed in the bearing plates29 attached to the upright frame members 14. The frame section 16 may betilted in these bearings to assume either the horizontal position shownin Fig. 5 or the vertical position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is adaptedto be held in the horizontal position by the inclined brace 30comprising twoparts 30- and 301 which are pivotally connected at 31 withthe lower section 30a pivoted at 32 on one of the frame members 14 andwith the upper section 30lj pivoted at 33 on the frame section 16. One

` of the parts of the brace 30 is provided with frame in horizontalposition.

a transverse lpin 34 which engages al shoulder 35 on the other part Vtohold the members in alignment with each other, as shown in Fig.

5, when it is desired to support the vacuum When the operator desires tomove the vacuum frame to a vertical position .a push on the handlev 36carried at the middle point of the brace 30 `will cause that brace toassume the position shown in Fig. 2 and when 1n -that position the loweredge of the frame sectionl is engaged by an angle plate 36 secured tothe brace 30 in order to hold the vacuum frame yin a vertical plane.

The upper section 17 of the vacuum frame 15 comprises a rectangularframe made up of a plurality of frame sections 17a which are connectedat their corners forming an intervening rectangular opening which isclosed by a transparent glass plate 38, the edges of which are set inthe recesses 39 formed in the frame members and secured in position bythe overlapping portions of the angle plates 40 which are secured aroundthe outer edge of the frame section 17, as shown particularly in Fig. 3.A layer of felt 41 is preferably mounted between the edge of the glassplate and the underlying portion of the frame 17 and a strip of felt 42is also mounted between the edge of the glass plate and the overlyingportion of the angle plate 40. T he side members 1711 of the frame 17are reinforced by frame members 42 secured to the upper or outer side ofthe frame. When the frame sections 16 and 17 are brought together, theglass plate 38 is adapted to rest adjacent its edge on the compressibleflange 19 carried by the mat 18 and, when the air is exhausted from thechamber 43 which is thus formed between the glass plate 38 and the mat18, the atmospheric pressure acting on the plate and the mat causes theflange 19 to be compressed with the result that the sensitized plate 2Oand the negative 21 are forced into close con tact with each other. Thetwo frame sections 16 and 17 are guided into the proper positions withrelation to each other by means of the guide plates 44 secured to one ofthe frame sections and having notches 441L therein to be engaged by oneof the lingers 45 se'- cured to the other frame section, as shownparticularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the fingers 45 being preferably taperedat their ends as shown at 45u to cause them to enter the recesses 44E1more readily. When the two parts of the vacuum frame 15 have thus beenbrought together, they are adapted to be secured by a plurality ofclamps each comprising a clamping member secured by one frame sectionand arranged to engage a clamping plate carried by the other framesection. 1n the embodiment illustrated, the lower frame section 16carries on all opposite edges thereof a plurality of clamping members47- each comprising a plate 47 i secured to the under side of'the framesection and having pivotal connection with a member 47b in which thereis slidably mounted a rod 47 c engaged by a nut- 47d which permits it tobe adjusted. rllhe outer end of each rod 47 C carries a`cam`member 47eand when the clamping member is swung upwardly, the rod 47c is adaptedto engage a notch in one of the clamping plates 48 secured to theuppersection 17, after which the inward turning of the cam member 47causesthe curved surface thereof to bear on the upper surface of theplate 48 with the result that the two pants of the vacuum frame 15 areclamped together with the formation of a tight air seal between theflange 19 and iin tion of lexhaustinguthe; air from the chamber 43.

The upper section 17 of the vacuum frame is mounted so that it may beraised and lowered to move it out of or into contact with the lowerframe section4 16. For this purpose, the frame section 17 has anarc-shaped bracket secured to each side thereof on the inner side of oneof the standards 14 and each arm 50a of each bracket is extendedinwardly as shown at 501 and thence upwardly as shown at 50c with theupper part of the portion 5()c secured to the side of the frame section17, as shown in Fig-7. The upper middle'portion of each bracket 50 isprovided with a pair of inwardly, extending guide flanges 51 which areadapted to travel on opposite sides of a stationary guide 52 which issecured to the adjacent frame memberor standard 14, asshown-particularly in Fig. 8. There is also provided at each side of theframe section 17, a hanger 53 in the form of an inverted U-shaped rodhaving the same outline as the adjacent bracket 50 and having the lowerends of its arms 53a secured to the inwardly extending portions 50" ofthe adjacent bracket by means of nuts 54. y Each hanger 53 is engaged bya grooved roller or pulley 55 carried by a U-shaped frame or clip 56which straddles thel hanger and which is connected to the pulley 55 bymeans of a pivot pin 57. The -clip 56 is attached to the lower end of achain 58 and this chain, one of which is located on each uprightstandard 14, is carried upwardly and thence around a pair of groovedpulleys 59 carried by a bracket 60 `mounted on the upper end ofthestandard, as

shown in Fig. 1. The other end of the chain 58 is directed downwardlyand attached to a counterweight 61 of cylindrical form which is mountedin a tubular casing 62 secured to the standard 14 by means ofstraps 63.The two counterweights 61 are vof equal weight and are adapted tocounterbalance the weight of the frame section 17 so that it may besupported in various positions upwardly from the lower frame section"16. f In addition to this counterbalancing feature, means are alsoVprovided for effecting a positive movement of the upper( frame ,section17 toward and from the lower frame section 16. For this purpose thepivot pin `57 of each pulley 55 is provided with a bracket 65 the upperend of which is connected to a sprocket chain 66. This chain extendsupwardly over a sprocket wheel 67 fixed. on a transverse shaft 68 whichhas its ends journaled'in bearings 69 carried tatably mounted onbrackets '71 secured to the standards 14 adjacent to the positionoccupied by the lower frame section 16. The sprocket chain 16 is thencedirected upwardly in alignment with the pivotal axis of the lower ramesection and the other end of the chain is attached to the bracket 65 bymeans of a bolt 73 and nuts 74, as shown in Fig. 7 so that the tensionof the chain may be adjusted as desired. In this way,'the pivot pins 57on which the frame .section 17 is hung, are caused to travel in verticallines located in the plane of the pivotal axis' of the lower section 16.The movement of the chains 66 to effect a vertical movement of the upperframe section'17' is effected by means of a shaft 75 on which one of thesprocket wheels 70 is secured, this shaft being journaled in bearings 76carried by one of the standards 14 and having a hand wheel 77 secured tothe outer end thereof for operation by the attendant. Upon rotation ofthe shaft 76, two chains 66 are simultaneously actuated by the crossshaft 68 at the upper ends of the standards so that both ends of theframe section 17 move uniformly at the `same speed. In addition to theshaft 68, the upper ends of the `standard/s 14A are also connected b v atie rod 78. j

In using the apparatus, the parts of the frame 15 are first tilted to ahorizontal posi- -tion which is permitted 'by the supporting trunnions28 of the lower frame section 16 l and by the U'-shapedohanger 53 of theupper frame section 17, these hangersftraveling on th'rollers 55 duringthe pivotal movement. Then after operating the hand wheel 77 to effectthe desired degree of separationv of the frame sections, the sensitizedplate 2O is laid on the upper surface ofthe mat 18, the lower framesection 16 being then secured in horizontal position by the movement ofVthe brace 30 tothe inclined position shown in Fig. 5. Then, afterplacing the negative 21 in inverted position on the upper `side of thesensitized plate 20, the hand wheel 77 is operated to effect downward`movement of the frame section 17 until thefglass plate 38 en gages thesealing flange 19. `When this con- 'dition is obtained, the clamps 47are operat- Ved and adjusted to engage the plates 48 to sec-ure the'twoparts of the frame 15 together. The` handle 36 on the brace 30 is thenpushed inwardly to permit the-tilting of the connected frame sections 16and 17 to the vertical position shown in Figs. l and 2,: in which po-`sition the lower edge of the frame 16 engages the angle plate 36. Thetilting. of the frame sections when they: are lclamped together ispermitted by reason of the fact that'the'guide flangesl 51 on thebrackets 50 are then out of engagement with the lower ends of the guide52 so that the brackets 50 are permitted to turn laterally with thehangers l53 as these hangers roll onthe rollers 55. The parts are thenin position to permit light topass from a source of light 80 through theglass plate 38 with the result that the image carried by the negative 21is photographed on the sensitized plate 20.

After this exposure has been made the frame 15 may be returned to itshorizontal position, after which the upper frame section 17 may belifted to permit the removal of the negative and the sensitized plate.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described by wayof illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed invarious other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

l claim:

l. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a frame, avacuum frame comprising a pair of separable sections,

,means for raising and lowering one of said sections bodily with respectto the other'of said sections, means for tilting said sections whilesaid last mentioned section is connected with and supported by said lastnamed means, and a jointed bracket connecting the other of said sectionswith said frame for holding said other section normally in horizontalposition.

2. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a framecomprising a pair of separable sections, a semicircular supportingbracket attached to the middle part of one of said sections, meansmovably attached to said bracket for raising and lowering said sectionbodily in parallel relation to the other section, and means forsupporting said lower section during the tilting of both of saidsections in unison while allowing movement of said last named means withrespect to said bracket.

3. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a framecomprising a pair of separable sections, a U-shaped hanger attached tothe middle part of each end of one of said sections, actuating means forbodily raising said section comprising members movably attached to eachof said U-shaped hangers, means for operating said mechanism to eect theuniform movement of opposite ends of said frame section, means forclamping said frame sections together, andy means connected to the otherof said sections for supporting both of said sections during the tiltingthereof when they are clamped together.

4. rlhe combination in apparatus of the class described, of a framecomprising a pair of separable sections, a U-shaped hanger attached toeach end of one of said sections, actuating means for raising saidsection comprising members movably attached to each of said U-shapedhangers, means for operating said mechanism to effect the uniformmovement of opposite ends of said frame section, means for clamping saidframe sections together, means connected to the other of saidsections'for supporting both of said sections during the tilting thereofwhen they I are clamped together, and counterweights attached toopposite ends of said first menlparts tioned section for controllingmovement thereof by said actuating means.

5. rll`he combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuumframe comprising upper and lower sections, means for supporting saidlower section in horizontal position, a pair of hangers attached toopposite ends of said upper section, actuating mechanism connected tosaid hangers for raising and lowering -said upper section in parallelrelation to the lower section, means for securing said sectionstogether, and means for supporting said sections for pivotal movementthereof when so secured, said hangers having movement with respect tosaid actuating mechanism during said pivotal movement. 6. ylhecombination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuum framecomprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shaped hangersattached to the middle parts of opposite ends of said upper section, aroller engaging each of said hangers and movable freely along itshanger, a bracket carrying each of said rollers, actuating mechanismattached to said brackets for raising and lowering said upper sectionbodily with respect to said lower section and means for tilting saidsections together with said rollers moving freely on said hangers.

7. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuumframe comprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shapedhangers attached to opposite ends of said upper section, a rollerengaging each of said hangers, a bracket carrying each of said rollers,actuating mechanism attached to said brackets for raising and loweringsaid upper section, guiding brackets attached to opposite ends of saidupper section, and vertical guides for engaging said brackets during themovement of said upper section.

8. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a vacuumframe comprising upper and lower frame sections, inverted U-shapedhangers attached to opposite ends of said upper section, a rollerengaging each of said hangers, a bracket carrying each of said rollers,actuating mechanism attached to said brackets for raising and loweringsaid upper section, guiding brackets attached to opposite ends of saidupper section, vertical guides for engaging said brackets during themovement of said upper section, said guiding brackets passing out ofengagement with said guideswhen said upper section engages said lowersection, and pivotal supports for said lower section to permit thetilting of said upper and lower sections.

9. The combination in apparatus of the pfff;

class described, of a vacuum frame comprising upper and lower framesections, inverted U-shaped hangers attached to the middle of oppositeends of said upper section, flexible members extending downwardlyadjacent said opposite ends of said upper frame section, rollers carriedby said flexible members and engaging said U-shaped hangers,

actuating mechanism for raising and lowering said iexible members teeiect corresponding movements of said upper section, means for pivotallysupporting said lower frame section, and means for clamping said framesections together, said U- aped hangers being concentric with saidpivotal supporting means when said frame sections are so clampedtogether.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name. f p

ALEXANDER T. KOPPE.

